18/01/2010 - Blu-ray sales were up 67 percent in 2009

No matter what the benchmark, when you increase the number of households with a Blu-ray player up 76 percent, to 17 million, that's a good year. So what if it is was one of the worst economic times in US history, and that overall home media sales were down 13.7 percent -- not even Blu-ray could fend off that big of a loss in DVD buying -- that is the type of growth that any new technology would strive for in its 3rd full year. We'd just love to hear anyone try and say Blu-ray was fighting for survival with $1.5 billion in revenue in one year, especially when Adams Research estimates the digital download market was only worth $360 million during the same time. Now we're not ones to say that physical discs will ever be what they used to be -- that captive audience is gone after all -- but as fans of the format, we can't help but feel like our ability to enjoy the best quality at home isn't in danger. Especially when during the five week holiday shopping season, Blu-ray player sales were up 44 percent while the overall consumer spending was down by 1 percent.

Blu-ray sales were up 67 percent in 2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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15/01/2010 - Theaters brought in more cash than Discs last year

During one of the worst economies our parents have ever seen, according to Adams research, people spent $9.97 billion to get out of the house to see a movie last year -- up 10 percent from 2008. At the same time, Disc sales (DVD and Blu-ray included) were down 13 percent to $8.73 billion -- which wasn't down nearly as much as most consumer goods. Now we know what you're thinking, all those digital downloads must be cutting into Disc sales, but you're wrong. In fact despite plenty of growth, VOD via cable and satellite services brought in $1.27 billion, while digital downloads only managed $0.36 billion -- so yeah not even 5 percent of what Discs brought in. What probably did cut into Disc sales more than anything else though was rentals, which rose 1.8 percent to $8.15 billion -- no wonder Warner made a deal with Netflix and other studios withheld titles from Redbox. Overall Hollywood fared pretty well totaling $28.38 billion on features movies alone so while there are a few potentially disruptive technologies out there, so far none have been.

Theaters brought in more cash than Discs last year originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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23/10/2009 - Research Forecasts Flat Panel Display Industry Slowdown in Q4, Recovery in 2010

According to the latest DisplaySearch Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report, global flat panel display revenues for 2009 will be $87.6B, down 15% Y/Y from 2008.

The major reason for the decline is erosion in large-area TFT LCD panel prices compared to 2008, despite the fact that the TFT LCD market started to recover in Q2’09.

Other research from iSuppli says small and medium LCD suppliers are preparing for a Q4 slowdown.

19/10/2009 - Large-Sized LCD Panel Business Becomes Profitable Again

After a year of losing money or generating zero return, the global large-sized LCD panel business returned to profitability in the third quarter, according to iSuppli’s latest research.

Analysts say the main reason LCD panels have not been profitable for so long is the market’s extreme state of oversupply, which resulted in LCD panel pricing that was below manufacturing costs.
LG Display was the world’s largest seller of large-sized LCD panels in the second quarter of 2009, accounting for 25.3 percent of shipments.

27/08/2009 - Blu-ray Won’t Replace DVD as the Primary Drive for PCs

Despite a rapid rise in the sales of consumer Blu-ray players, a fall in their prices and an increase in the number of high-definition movie titles, Blu-ray drives in PC systems have been left singing the blues, according to iSuppli.

iSuppli’s recent report says that by 2013, Blu-ray drives will be found in only 16.3 percent of PCs shipped, up from 3.6 percent in 2009.

21/08/2009 - Plasma and LCD TV Sales Increase in Q2 2009

Quixel Research’s newly launched report revealed that in Q2 2009 the Plasma TV was the only large screen TV category to show significant - up 31% in volume and 35% in value - growth quarter-to-quarter.

The harsh economic climate didn’t also slow LCDTV sales: the overall LCDTV market grew nine percent quarter-to-quarter and 22 percent year-to-year.

21/07/2009 - New ABI Research reports forecasts 20 million network TVs to ship in 2011

Filed under: Industry, Displays

Sometimes we wonder why we didn't pursue a career as an analyst instead of this Engadget thing. What we mean is how much fun would it be to spend your days thinking of headlines for reports that more than likely just state the obvious? Either way, the latest from ABI Research indicates that in the next few years connected TVs will be the thing to have. Although the report doesn't say it, we'd like to throw our two cents in with the prediction that most of the TVs will use WiFi to connect as we don't see many running CAT5 in their walls anytime soon -- new construction not included. Of course the real question is what exactly will these TVs be using their new found connectivity for? So far the content keepers haven't show many signs of giving up the goods under reasonable terms, and the existing informational widgets are to slow to be useful.

New ABI Research reports forecasts 20 million network TVs to ship in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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04/06/2009 - Growth in HDTVs Driving Demand for HD STBs

Shipments of set-top boxes are expected to peak this year, at least in mature markets, and then commence a gradual decline.
However the rolling series of analog TV shutoffs in countries around the world, combined with the strong uptake of HDTV sets, mean that HD STBs will form a growing fraction of the total market, according to ABI Research.

04/06/2009 - Online Video Viewing Rates "Grossly Overstated"

The amount of time US viewers spend watching online video and mobile video is growing rapidly - but still accounts for a small fraction of total video content viewing.
That's the conclusion of a study into how people spend their time consuming media, including live TV programming, time-shifted television, DVDs, video games.

30/04/2009 - Demand For Web-Enabled TVs Surging, CEA Finds

TV makers have been quick to recognise consumer appetite for connected TVs - and their ability to act as a differentiator in a crowded market.
Rightly so, as new research shows that nearly half of prospective TV buyers in the US intend to purchase an Internet-ready TV in the next year.

28/04/2009 - 2011 Peak For SD DTT STB semiconductors

High-definition Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) set top boxes (STBs) offer semiconductor makers a short term spike in opportunity.
However, standard definition (SD) DTT STBs will be a more sustainable market for manufacturers, according to In-Stat.

16/04/2009 - Analyst: '09 YTD Blu-ray sales double those of '08, 10.5 million Blu-ray households in the U.S.

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray

Adams Media Research hasn't always had the most positive outlook on Blu-ray numbers, but its latest report indicates that despite the current state of the economy and the still-high price of Blu-ray discs the format is continuing to grow, with year to date numbers that nearly double those from last year at around 9 million compared to 4.8 million at this point in 2008. As usual, Andy Parsons of the BDA had a positive quote to give Video Business, since he was "delighted" by the figures, which also included an estimated total of 10.5 million Blu-ray households (including dedicated players and PS3s, no word if laptops played into that figure.) It's another year later, and there've been many more Blu-ray players sold so the the growth isn't surprising, but there's also a lot more competition looking for the 1080p crown,but it looks like most are still hopping on the Blu bandwagon.

Analyst: '09 YTD Blu-ray sales double those of '08, 10.5 million Blu-ray households in the U.S. originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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03/01/2009 - Internet media viewing on TVs set to surge by 2013

Filed under: Industry, Internet

So, here's an interesting take. ABI Research is forecasting that the amount of online programs watched on the TV (as in, not on the computer monitor) will grow from 563 million viewers in 2008 to 941 million by 2013. There's no doubt that web-based content is catching on, though we suspect it'll need to be easily piped to the traditional television set for those in past generations to really take it seriously. To that end, it's anticipated that operators as well as console manufacturers and the like will make it increasingly easier to access internet TV via Netflix, Hulu and related portals. Can you imagine a day when your favorite programs, even NFL games, are beamed directly to a website that's easily accessible via a web-to-TV liaison such as the ZvBox? We know, bandwidth is a serious issue, but the concept alone should be enough to make traditional MSOs sweat.

[Via VideoBusiness, image courtesy of ZatzNotFunny]

Internet media viewing on TVs set to surge by 2013 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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06/12/2008 - Audiovox HDP100 HDMI-over-powerline kit tested, on sale

Filed under: Reviews, Cables, Other hardware, Others

Generally speaking, anything over powerline has received tepid reviews at best, and sure enough, Audiovox's promising HDP100 is just more of the same. The kit seeks to shuttle HDMI signals over your existing power lines within the home, but in CNET's review lair, critics found that the signal was "slightly degraded over what it expected from a true HDMI cable (i.e. perfection), showing lower resolution and some subtle choppiness, as if it was dropping frames." Still, those with smaller TVs or less demanding eyes may find this desirable over running all sorts of cabling across your floors; if we just rang your bell, you can snap the package up now for around $399 (or less on the street).

Audiovox HDP100 HDMI-over-powerline kit tested, on sale originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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12/11/2008 - HDTV Now In Over A Third Of US Households

HDTV penetration has doubled in the past two years with 34 per cent of US households having at least one high definition television (HDTV) set.
Representing about 40 million households, this figure is set to double again over the next two years, according to consumer research from the Leichtman Research Group.

11/11/2008 - Acoustic Research intros iPod-friendly AR5100 audio docking station

Filed under: Other hardware, Speakers, Apple

Acoustic Research is on a roll today at CES Unveiled in New York, and if you've somehow managed to avoid the overload of other iPod docking systems up until now, we've got yet another you can have a look at. The AR5100 audio docking system doubles as a tabletop music center or an iPod video source for a display. Of note, AR designed the unit so that it could actually be hung (you know, beneath a flat-panel HDTV), and gussied it up with backlit white graphics, touch-sensitive buttons, horn-loaded tweeters, a ported enclosure, a component-video output and a bundled IR remote. Check it this December for $199.99, and catch the release in its entirety after the break.

Gallery: Acoustic Research intros iPod-friendly AR5100 audio docking station

Continue reading Acoustic Research intros iPod-friendly AR5100 audio docking station

Acoustic Research intros iPod-friendly AR5100 audio docking station originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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11/11/2008 - Acoustic Research ARW51 takes any 5.1 system and makes it wireless

Filed under: Industry, Cables, Speakers

While even audio amateurs have been struggling for years to figure out an efficient way to ditch / conceal the wires in their 5.1-channel audio systems, solutions from manufacturers have been limited. Sure, there's the Rocketfish amplifier, which essentially makes the rear speakers in a 5.1 rig cordless, but there's still tons of room for growth in the sector. Enter Acoustic Research, which is introducing its 5.1 modular wireless speaker conversion system. The ARW51's claim to fame is this: its point-to-multipoint technology can take "any 5.1 speaker system and make it wireless." Better still, AR promises six full bandwidth, 16-bit audio channels, and the "code-hopping circuitry" enables it to deliver CD-quality sound while "avoiding any potential interference from cordless phones, 802.11 computer networks and microwave ovens." No word on release just yet, but the MSRP has been set at $699.99. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: Acoustic Research ARW51 takes any 5.1 system and makes it wireless

Continue reading Acoustic Research ARW51 takes any 5.1 system and makes it wireless

Acoustic Research ARW51 takes any 5.1 system and makes it wireless originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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07/11/2008 - ABI Research points out the obvious: Blu-ray prices prices heading downward

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray

Man, what a difference 1.75 months makes. In mid-September, the BDA actually admitted that Blu-ray player prices weren't going to be sinking anytime soon; fast forward to now, and we've already got a smattering of sub-$200 decks to choose from. That being the case, ABI Research has just pushed out a new release that points out the obvious, noting that "competitive pressure from movie download services, and media speculation about the future success of the Blu-ray format itself has resulted in falling Blu-ray player prices across a range of current and older models." Unfortunately, there aren't any hints in there of just how low prices will go on Black Friday and during the run-up to the end of December, but trust us, we looked.

ABI Research points out the obvious: Blu-ray prices prices heading downward originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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07/11/2008 - ABI survey ties video diet to age

Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Media PCs, Other formats, Internet

On the heels of our own roundtable discussion, ABI Research has a survey that ties video consumption methods to age. No big surprises -- the younger crowd leads the way on gaming consoles, VOD, internet downloads and cell phone video -- but still, some interesting trends emerged. DVRs look to have achieved uniform adoption across all age groups, whereas the older VOD technology is still largely used by young adults. To VOD's credit, up to half of those who try it get hooked, regardless of age, so carriers just need to get people started (we're thinking free trials are in order). Internet downloads are really only on the radar of the under-30 crowd, chalked up to "inconsistencies in the process," which might explain why some people's eyes glaze over when we try to explain how to get content via the internet. On the other end of the age spectrum, videogame console use more than doubled in the 65+ year-old group; but we figure a lot of those units are Wiis that won't be used for watching content (officially or otherwise). Hit the link for more details and chime in with your take.

ABI survey ties video diet to age originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/11/2008 - Audiovox HDP100 sends HDMI over powerline

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Others

If you're tired of waiting to beam your HD signals across the room over thin air but still crave that tidy install devoid of snaking wires, you might want to give HDMI over powerline a try. For $400, Audiovox will hook you up with its HDP100 HD Powerlink system (apparently under the Acoustic Research brand) -- a single transmitter, receiver and accessories that will transmit HDMI and IR remote signals over the Romex already in your walls. Of course, as with all things with names ending in "over powerline," performance can vary based on things like your home's wiring, what other devices are placed on the circuit, how the HDP100 units are plugged in and maybe even the phase of the moon; but that same $400 will disappear pretty quickly if you have a pro pull some wires through the walls.

Audiovox HDP100 sends HDMI over powerline originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/08/2008 - Consumers delaying Blu-ray purchases, can't find value proposition

Filed under: Industry

You just have to love the mixed messages, don't you? On one hand, you've got research asserting that Blu-ray simply isn't gaining the desired amount of traction since the demise of HD DVD; on the other, you've got numbers showing that BD adoption actually is on the up and up. So, which is it? According to a hot-out-of-the-oven study by ABI Research, consumers in America are still procrastinating when it comes to buying into Blu-ray. Over half of the 1,000 respondents noted that they had "no plans to purchase one," with 23% suggesting that they might take the plunge in 2009. Principal analyst Steve Wilson, in our estimation, nails the reason right on the head: consumers can't see why Blu-ray is worth the extra coin over DVD. Let's face it -- VHS to DVD was entirely more dramatic than DVD to Blu-ray, and for folks still watching an SDTV, Blu-ray isn't even a consideration. Slow and steady, BD, slow and steady.

[Image courtesy of WikInvest]

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29/07/2008 - Paul Semenza appointed senior vice president at DisplaySearch

Display industry veteran Paul Semenza has been named as Display Search’s senior vice president managing its North American and European analyst teams.
With more than 20 years of global market research experience, Semenza most recently served as vice president and manager of iSuppli’s Display Business.

12/07/2008 - Hsu Research unleashes ULS-15 wireless subwoofer

Filed under: Speakers

It'll probably date us, but we remember when Hsu Research subs just made cylindrical subwoofers. Those different-looking reinforced paper tube enclosures were formidable back in the day. Hsu has moved beyond cyinders, but is still turning out the goods for those who crave true sub-woofer tones. The company's latest ULS-15 features a 15-inch driver in a sealed box, and can reach a jaw-dropping (and molar-rattling) 10-Hz in most rooms. The 1,000-Watt amplifier comes in handy for supplying the kind of power necessary for reaching those depths with a sealed enclosure, for sure. The ULS-15 is literally unleashed, as well -- Hsu has added a convenient wireless connection to the unit. Hsu has definitely kept pace with the times, but its pricing is still very attractive -- prices start at $1,299 for a satin black and head northward for more luxuious finishes.

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27/06/2008 - Satellite customers more satisfied than cable customers?

Filed under: Cable, Satellite

Those looking for an answer to the cable or satellite question may want to turn their eyes to a recent survey by Beta Research Group, suggesting the latter group is more satisfied with their TV provider. The numbers are 72% answering "satisfied" for satellite compared to only 62% for digital cable, while 66% of people with dishes said they would definitely continue as customers, compared to 45% with cable. We're pretty sure many of those interview have HD, with discovery and History channels ranking highest among the favorites - we like them too, but can't imagine liking them as much in SD. Take a look at the read link to get a couple more notes on the methodology and findings before making a decision, but for those of you who've already faced down the choice, are you sated?

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19/06/2008 - Shift towards wireless HDTV expected to be gradual as technology evolves

The race to perfect a wireless HDTV system is being contested by three competing technologies, each one with particular advantages without offering the complete package.
But within three years one will have emerged as the dominant system, according to a study by ABI Research.
This is expected to take global installations from an estimated 100,000 this year to the milestone one million by 2012.
Steve Wilson, principal analyst on the report “Wireless Video Cable Replacement Market and Technologies”, said the wireless HDTV market was still in its “incubation” stage.
He said a “battle of technologies” was being fought by the three contending systems, loosely characterised as 5 GHz, 60 GHz, and ultra wideband (UWB).

03/06/2008 - Blu-ray awareness and potential rising in the US but barriers remain

High cost and a belief that standard-definition DVD is “good enough” are the main barriers to US consumers purchasing Blu-ray players.
These are the conclusions of a study by the NPD Group, which found that manufacturers still face challenges despite rising awareness of Blu-ray.
The market research company found that 45 per cent of HDTV owners in the US now claim to be familiar with Blu-ray Disc (BD), up from 35 percent in June 2007.
And, while only 6 per cent of all consumers surveyed said they plan to purchase a BD device in the next six months, NPD found purchase intent to be higher among the growing population of HDTV owners, boding well for the future of the format.

27/05/2008 - Plastics breakthrough could help cut cost of Blu-ray players

Scientists have moved a step closer to producing electrically-powered plastic laser diodes that could be used in Blu-ray players.
Currently the laser diodes in such consumer optical storage devices are made out of inorganic semiconductors like gallium arsenide, gallium nitride and other semiconductor alloys related to them.
Now, researchers at Imperial College in London have demonstrated a class of plastic semiconductor materials that may allow the low-cost manufacture of electrically-powered plastic laser diodes.
As well as reducing the cost of devices such as Blu-ray players the development could allow plastic laser diodes to operate across a much more substantial wavelength range.

24/05/2008 - Results shows global LCD TV sales outstripped plasma TV by 8:1 for Q1 of 2008

Over 21 million LCD TVs were sold in the first three months of 2008 compared to 2.8 million plasma sets, according to a data compiled by research firm DisplaySearch.
The total number of TVs sold during the period was 46.1 million, up only 1% compared to sales in 2007.
The slow-down in sales is largely attributed to a weaker US economy.

19/05/2008 - Young adults aged between 16-27 are driving demand for HDTV, according to Motorola study

Research by Motorola shows that young adults have a huge influence on their parents' buying decisions for HDTV sets and programming packages.
The “always-on” generation are hungry for more control over when and where they access rich content such as high-definition (HD) programming and cable TV, the study found.
The ability to time-shift with DVRs and have access to HD programming were both highly desirable features.